Respiratory Wellness: How to Breathe Easier This Fall

Fall is all about a fresh start. After a busy summer schedule, the seasonal shift from hot and humid to cool and crisp is a welcome reminder to refresh, refuel, and refocus. Self-care is essential during every season, but especially before the darker, colder winter sets in with added sickness and holiday stress. So, take a deep breath, hold it (1,2,3,4), and exhale.

The autumn air smells amazing. 

However, not everyone is a fan of fall’s seasonal scents. For many, the colorful leaves and harvested crops make it harder to breathe due to increased allergens in the air such as dust, ragweed pollen, and mold spores.  

Fall is also the beginning of cold and flu season, causing lingering sinus infections (sinusitis) and breathing issues if you don’t take proper care of your respiratory wellness. In fact, almost everyone deals with some level of sinus congestion or infection from colds, allergies, and flu this time of year.

The common cold is even more common in the fall.

Fortunately, there are plenty of healthful solutions to improve your respiratory wellness, so you can breathe a lot easier this season...

First, let’s talk about sinuses...

Why Are Sinuses Important?
Humans have four pairs of sinus cavities—frontal (the lower forehead), maxillary (cheekbones), ethmoid (beside the upper nose), and sphenoid (behind the nose). These air-filled cavities, lined with mucous-producing glands, do a lot more than help us breathe.

Sinuses:

• Make the head lighter for easier movement.

• Warm, filter, and moisturize the air we breathe.

• Act as airbags to protect our face (and brain) from trauma.

In short, your sinuses are important, so take care of them this fall. If neglected, they can become congested and infected, wreaking havoc on your head. Symptoms from sinus infections include horrible headaches, sore throat, cough, stuffy or runny nose, and telltale green and yellow mucus that causes bad breath. Ew.

Why Are Sinus Infections and Allergies Worse in the Fall?
In fall, cooler temps encourage us to head outdoors to take in—and breathe in—Mother Nature’s colorful display before it all disappears and turns colder.

Unfortunately, sinusitis, colds, and allergies are worse in the fall due to the rotting leaves (mold spores), changes in humidity, seasonal pollen (ragweed), and the start of school, where viruses are more easily transmitted from person to person.

Allergies from the airborne mold spores and ragweed increase inflammation and congestion in the nose, which often results in sinus infections. A stuffy nose is unable to warm, filter, and moisturize the air you breathe in, and it can’t drain the infected mucus out.

How will you enjoy the gorgeous season if you can’t breathe?

Relax. You don’t have to be so stuffy. Try these healthful solutions to improve your respiratory wellness...

How to Alleviate Sinus Infection & Allergy Symptoms

If you don’t want seasonal triggers to spoil all the fall beauty, here’s how you can treat nasty sinus and allergy issues at home—no pharmacy required:

For sinusitis and cold symptoms:

1. Rest.
2. Drink plenty of fluids.
3. Clean your nose with a saline (salt) solution.
4. Clear congestion with Aromafloria Sinus Help Inhalation Beads (Eucalyptus, Peppermint & Lemongrass + the terpene eucalyptol).
5. Inhale Aromafloria Sinus Help Breathe Nasal Stick to stimulate olfactory nerves.

And if you suffer from fall allergies...

7. Limit outdoor activity when pollen counts are high.
8. Avoid allergic triggers.
9. Clean vents before you turn on the furnace for the first time.
10. Change the (HEPA) filter in your furnace.
11. Clean and vacuum often.
12. Use a dehumidifier.
13. Wear a mask during yard work.

If you follow these simple solutions, you’ll be ready for whatever the season blows your way.

Now, take a deep breath and have a happy, healthy fall.